First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pulp
noun \ˈpəlp\
: the inner, juicy part of a fruit or vegetable
: the substance that is left after the liquid has been squeezed from a fruit or vegetable
: a soft, wet substance that is made by crushing something
Full Definition of PULP
1
a (1) : the soft, succulent part of a fruit usually composed of mesocarp (2) : stem pith when soft and spongy b : a soft mass of vegetable matter (as of apples) from which most of the water has been extracted by pressure c : the soft sensitive tissue that fills the central cavity of a tooth — see tooth illustration d : a material prepared by chemical or mechanical means from various materials (as wood or rags) for use in making paper and cellulose products
2
: pulverized ore mixed with water
3
a : pulpy condition or character b : something in such a condition or having such a character
4
: a magazine or book printed on cheap paper (as newsprint) and often dealing with sensational material; also : sensational or tabloid writing —often used attributively <pulp fiction>
— pulp·i·ness \ˈpəl-pē-nəs\ noun
— pulpy \ˈpəl-pē\ adjective
See pulp defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PULP
Middle English pulpe, from Latin pulpa flesh, pulp
Rhymes with PULP
2pulp
verb
: to crush (something) until it is soft and wet : to make (something) into pulp
Full Definition of PULP
transitive verb
1
: to reduce to pulp <pulped unsold copies of the book>
2
: to cause to appear pulpy
3
: to deprive of the pulp
intransitive verb
: to become pulp or pulpy
— pulp·er noun
See pulp defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PULP
1683
PULP Defined for Kids
pulp
noun \ˈpəlp\
Definition of PULP for Kids
1
: the soft juicy or moist part of a fruit or vegetable <the pulp of an orange>
2
: the part of a fruit or vegetable that is left after the liquid has been squeezed from it <apple pulp>
3
: a material prepared usually from wood or rags and used in making paper
4
: the soft sensitive tissue inside a tooth
5
: a seriously injured or damaged state <He was beaten to a pulp.>
Medical Dictionary
pulp
noun \ˈpəlp\
Medical Definition of PULP
: a mass of soft tissue: as a : dental pulp b : the characteristic somewhat spongy tissue of the spleen c : the fleshy portion of the fingertip
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